With commitments flying in left, right, and center, many teams have loaded up their rosters not just for this season, but for the next few years. So which players are committed for 2027, and which teams take the cake for having the top talent in next year's class?
As college hockey continues to grow, the players and teams will get much better; more European and Canadian talent will head to the NCAA, leading to superteams and more dynasties.
There’s already been a lot of elite commitments for the 2027 class, some players already drafted, and some projected to be top picks as soon as next year’s draft. So who are the best committed players for 2027, and which teams have them locked up already?
Dima Zhilkin: Michigan, Right Winger
It was announced by The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler that 2027 projected lottery pick Dima Zhilkin has committed to Michigan for the 2027 season, and it shows how dominant the Wolverines have been on the recruiting trail the past few seasons.
Zhilkin is the captain of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit, and he brings so much to the table. He put up 39 goals and 75 points last season and has established himself in the first round of next year’s draft. He has a dog-on-a-bone mentality and will play in all situations at Michigan and be one of the favourites to be the freshman of the year.
Maksim Sokolovskii: Maine, Defenseman
Sokolovskii is a six-foot-eight, 240-pound defenseman who can leave you with bruises for weeks. He spent last season with the London Knights, where the Philadelphia Flyers eventually selected him 27th overall.
His point totals don’t jump off the page; he had eight points in 44 games last season, but where his value really stood out was in the playoffs. Although London lost in the first round to the Soo Greyhounds, Sokolovskii made Nashville Predators first-round pick Brady Martin sick of going against him. He’s a matchup nightmare and will make opposing forwards terrified to go into the corner.
Carter Meyer: Boston U, Center
Meyer was with the U.S. National Team Development Program this past year, where he was a standout player, but like many others with the program, he requested a release. The release was granted, so he is joining his brother in the QMJHL with the Quebec Ramparts.
Meyer is good enough to play college hockey right now, and if the Vancouver Canucks decide they want Caleb Malohotra in the NHL mid-season, Meyer could very well get the call for the second half of the year. He’s a great offensive talent and has the size and hockey IQ to compete and make a difference in all three zones.
Gavin Burcar: Michigan State, Right Winger
Burcar only put up 17 points in 63 games last season in the WHL for the Spokane Chiefs, but he was one of the best players at this year's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. He had five goals and nine points in five games and was dominant all tournament.
His shot is elite, and he has the kind of edge any program would love. Michigan State is starting to build back up to being an elite program, and Burcar’s skill set of being a hound on the forecheck and scoring goals when it matters will only elevate the team when he arrives.
Joey Cullen: Minnesota, Left Winger
2028 draft prospect and brother of Nashville Predators prospect Wyatt Cullen, Joey Cullen will be at Minnesota in 2027, and likely with his older brother. Cullen is an extremely high offensive talent who does things on the ice that many others simply can’t do.
Cullen was also at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup this past August and had five points in five games. Although he’s more known for his goal scoring, his playmaking was unreal at the tournament; he’s able to find seam passes and make extremely hard plays look very easy. Minnesota is getting an extremely high talent, and if he’s anything like his brother, a growth spurt is on the way.
